Cavaliers: The best is yet to come for Kyrie Irving

Amy Sancetta/Associated Press
Cavaliers guard Kyrie irving talks to the media at the team's practice facility in Independence on Friday.

Kyrie Irving knocked down almost every obstacle put in front of him this season.

He'll soon join LeBron James as the only players in Cavaliers history to be rewarded with the Rookie of the Year award.

"The progression of Kyrie to Game 1 to Game 50 exceeded everyone's expectations," Cavs coach Byron Scott said. "When you pick someone No. 1, you figure he's going to be pretty good and special. But he had a phenomenal rookie year."

The 6-foot-3, 191-pounder led all rookies in scoring at 18.5 points per game. He was also second in assists (5.4), fifth in field-goal percentage (46.9), second in 3-point percentage (39.9), first in free-throw percentage (87.2), sixth in steals (1.1) and third in minutes (30.5).

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"This season has been a special one for me," Irving said. "We overcame a lot of obstacles during the lockout-shortened season. It's been a learning experience.

"I grew as a player from the mental standpoint, getting used to the NBA grind. This was a 66-game season. Sometimes we had five games in seven nights."

Irving was named MVP of the rookie-sophomore challenge during All-Star weekend.

"All-Star weekend was a stepping stone for my career," he said. "It was just an added accomplishment in my career."

While posing with his trophy, he instructed photographers to make sure they got the "Cleveland" printed on the front of his jersey in the photos. Fans in Northeast Ohio reveled in the comment.

"It wasn't a publicity stunt at all," Irving said. "I just wanted to make sure they got the Cleveland uniform in it. We're not as publicized as (much as) everybody else."

The ultimate honor will come soon when Irving wins the Rookie of the Year award.

"If I do get it, it will be a great accomplishment for the city of Cleveland, my teammates and myself," he said. "I couldn't have done it without them. The confidence they had in me allowed me to be myself and play my game.

"If I do win it, I'll take it home and put it with the other trophies I have."

He said being the NBA's top rookie wasn't his only objective.

"The main goal on my list was winning more games than we won last year and be the best player I can be," Irving said. "Those accolades would come along with that."

Swingman Anthony Parker, who is expected to retire this summer, said he saw a lot of growth among the Cavs' young players.

"I think we have the Rookie of the Year on our team, so the future is bright," Parker said. "(Irving) played with great pace. He grew in confidence. He made the (necessary) adjustments to the NBA game. I'm a big fan of Kyrie's. I think he played very well, and his biggest growth was on the defensive end."

Cavs fans can expect bigger and better things from Irving next season.

"The only way I can go is up," Irving said. "That's the only way I want to go. It was a learning experience. I learned what to do and what not to do. I want to apply it next season.

"For me, personally, (I want to) work on all aspects of my game. I'll have a year under my belt. It will be totally different next year. I just have to get better."

Irving was so-so on defense, but offensively, there's not much he can't do. The Cavs expect his assists to increase when they get more players who can make shots.

His next step might be to grow into a leadership role.

"I definitely see the possibility from a vocal standpoint," Scott said. "I think he has that in him. He just has to be comfortable in his own skin and comfortable on the floor. He has that in him.

"It has to be something that's natural. I think he has that in him. I don't know if that will come out next year."

The Cavs have identified their core, and it starts with Irving and forward/center Tristan Thompson.

"I think with both kids, they're about the right stuff," Cavs general manager Chris Grant said. "They work hard every day. That's the kind of guys we want to have in our core to build on."

Irving, 20, wants to keep a keen eye on the rebuilding process this summer.

"(This summer) could be big for us," he said. "I can't wait to play with the guys we have coming back and the new additions. It's kind of mind-boggling what can happen over the next few months.

"It's a big summer for us with the coaching staff, all of the players, whoever we draft and whoever we bring in. All summer, we just got to be ready and come in and be in the best shape possible for training camp. I think our chemistry starts in the summer."

Irving wouldn't mind going to the draft lottery on May 30 because it's just a few miles from his home in New Jersey.

"It depends on when Coach Scott allows me to get my vacation time," he joked.

Thompson marveled at Irving's season.

"He had a great season," Thompson said. "The sky is the limit for that kid. In my opinion, he's (a) top five (point guard) right now. He's a bad boy."